Market Performance
| Asset / Index | Value ($) | Daily Change / Net Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 90,966.0 | -0.11% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 3,111.68 | +0.24% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETF | – | -521.75M Net Outflow |
| Ethereum Spot ETF | – | -159.20M Net Outflow |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 25,504.3 | -0.12% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,921.45 | +0.01% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,601.8 | -0.08% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 98.701 | +0.20% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 15.45 | +0.46% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.18489 | +1.01% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 63.059 | +0.04% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,472.36 | -0.12% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 77.080 | +0.39% |
“Prepared at UTC 07.45 am”
Today’s Key Events
- President Trump to Attend a Meeting with Oil and Natural Gas Executives
- President Trump to Attend a Meeting with the Secretary of State
- US Supreme Court Expected to Announce Customs Duty Rulings
- US Average Hourly Earnings (Monthly) (December)
- US Nonfarm Payrolls (December)
- US Unemployment Rate (December)
- US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (January)
- FOMC Member Barkin to Speak
- BTC and ETH Option Expiration (2.2B)
Bessent Renews Call for Interest Rate Cuts
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent emphasized in an interview with CNBC that interest rate cuts remain critical for economic growth. Arguing that the Fed should not delay interest rate cuts any further, Bessent stated that interest rates are the main driver of future growth. He noted that the Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs from the Trump era is being closely monitored. He said that even if the decision is overturned, tariffs could be maintained through different legal channels. He also acknowledged that this process could limit Trump’s negotiating power.
US Takes Partial Step Back on Venezuela Sanctions
The US administration is preparing to lift sanctions imposed on certain entities in Venezuela. The Treasury Department will oversee the sale of assets in Venezuela, and the proceeds will be returned to the Caracas government. Independent oil companies are reportedly eager to invest in Venezuela. However, major US oil companies are expected to take a more cautious approach. The process is expected to have an impact on energy markets.
Trump to Announce New Fed Chair in January
Donald Trump said he has decided on the next Fed Chair but has not yet announced the name. Speaking to the New York Times, Trump stated that no official meeting has yet taken place with the candidate. He merely indicated that Kevin Hassett is among the names he likes. Treasury Secretary Bessent said the decision could be announced before or after the Davos Summit. According to Polymarket data, Hassett and Warsh are currently leading with 38%.
Populist Moves from Trump Ahead of Midterm Elections
Trump has ramped up his populist policies ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. He ordered the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to lower housing costs. This move aims to reduce mortgage rates and lower monthly payments. Trump argued that his decisions during his first term created the fiscal space for this move. Markets, however, believe these steps could increase volatility.
Trump Proposes Major Increase in Defense Budget
Trump proposed increasing US defense spending from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027. This increase would be one of the highest levels in US history in terms of defense budget. The proposal is expected to be one of the topics of intense debate in Congress. It is also being closely watched in terms of defense industry stocks. The impact of the decision on budget balances is being debated.
US House of Representatives Decision on Health Subsidies
The US House of Representatives passed a bill extending health insurance subsidies under the ACA for approximately three years. The vote passed 230 to 196, with 17 Republicans supporting the Democrats. The bill aims to limit the increase in health insurance costs. However, it is noted that the Senate version may include changes. The process is expected to have an impact on healthcare sector stocks.
Noteworthy Offer from the US for Greenland
According to Reuters, US officials have put a one-time payment option on the table to convince Greenland to secede from Denmark. Figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person are being mentioned. It is stated that the total cost of such a payment could reach approximately $6 billion. Alternatively, the Compact of Free Association (COFA) model is also being considered. In this scenario, the US would provide security and public services while gaining military and commercial advantages.
Bank of Japan Prepares to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged
According to sources, Bank of Japan officials do not expect to change interest rates this month. It is stated that the bank may revise its economic growth forecasts upward due to the impact of the stimulus packages announced by the government. Officials do not have a predetermined stance on the pace of interest rate hikes. This indicates a more data-driven and flexible approach to monetary policy. Markets continue to closely monitor the BoJ’s messages.
Internet Traffic Nearly Drops to Zero After Protests in Iran
Internet service was cut off nationwide in Iran as anti-government protests spread across the country. Cloudflare data shows that internet traffic dropped to almost zero starting at 10:15 p.m. local time. The protests escalated due to high inflation, a sharp devaluation of the currency, and rising living costs. NetBlocks described the situation as a “digital blackout across the country.” This outage severely limits the spread of protest images and news coverage.
Crypto Transactions Continue Despite Internet Outage in Iran
Despite the nationwide internet outage, it is noteworthy that cryptocurrency transactions have not completely stopped in Iran. According to TRM Labs data, crypto activity in Iran reached approximately $3.7 billion in the first seven months of 2025. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley highlighted Bitcoin as a store of value in this environment. Starlink, Blockstream satellite network, and Bluetooth-based mesh solutions are among the alternative access methods. However, all these solutions ultimately require an online connection to write transactions to the chain.
South Korea Gives Green Light to Spot Digital Asset ETFs
South Korea’s Ministry of Finance announced the launch of spot ETFs for digital assets. This step is seen as an important milestone for the institutional adoption of crypto assets in the country. The regulation is expected to increase interest from both local and foreign investors. Officials emphasized that investor protection and market stability will be a priority. The decision has been well received in Asian crypto markets.
Musk Announces Major Update for Grok Code
Elon Musk has announced a major update for Grok Code coming next month. This update will allow multiple complex software tasks to be created with a single click. Grok Code Fast 1 previously topped the OpenRouter AI leaderboard. Weekly usage is said to have reached approximately 420 billion tokens. This development could increase competition in AI-powered software production.
Wall Street and Crypto Sector at the Table for Bill
SIFMA, representing Wall Street, and crypto industry leaders met behind closed doors for the critical crypto bill in the Senate. It was reported that limited progress was made in the discussions regarding DeFi exemptions. However, disagreements persist on topics such as yield-generating stablecoins. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott is planning an important revision session next week. The support of both parties is considered critical for the bill to move forward.
SEI Blockchain in the Spotlight with Flash Loan Attack
The SEI network was hit by a flash loan attack worth approximately $240,000. According to BlockSec Phalcon data, the attacker borrowed 1.96 million WSEI tokens but failed to repay them. It was noted that the attack was triggered by an erroneous fund transfer made three blocks earlier. This incident demonstrated that on-chain errors still pose a significant risk to the DeFi ecosystem. Security vulnerabilities are once again a topic of discussion.
Zcash Foundation Emphasizes Decentralization
The Zcash Foundation announced that Zcash has never been controlled by a single entity. It emphasized that the protocol is completely open source and operated by independent nodes on a global scale. The foundation reiterated that it defends privacy as a fundamental human right. It was noted that the development process is supported by various organizations and individual contributors. The announcement came at a time when discussions about decentralization have intensified.
Morph Launches $150 Million Payment Accelerator Program
Morph announced the launch of a $150 million accelerator program aimed at bringing real-world payments on-chain. Companies participating in the program must have production-level integration capabilities. Security architecture, KYC, and AML compliance are among the basic requirements. The program aims to directly support on-chain payment settlement. This move could accelerate the adoption of blockchain-based payment solutions.
Disclaimer:
The investment information, comments, and recommendations provided here do not constitute financial advice. Investment advisory services are offered individually by authorized institutions, taking into account the risk and return preferences of each investor. The comments and recommendations are of a general nature and may not be suitable for your personal financial situation. Making investment decisions solely based on this information may not produce results in line with your expectations.
